I'M EMMA ROWLAND-ELSEN, SPECIALIST CONSULTANT IN CHOIR INCLUSION AND MENTAL HEALTH
I help choir leaders, vocal coaches and community practitioners create singing spaces where people feel safe, seen and supported - where singers thrive not only in voice, but in wellbeing.  In short, I build Mentally-Healthy Choirs.

With almost 25 years of conducting experience and a decade at the intersection of voice, mental health and community, I bring both lived experience and professional insight. As a professional conductor living with PTSD, I know first-hand how choir culture can shape our sense of safety, belonging and joy.

​Start here: Download my free Choir Wellbeing Starter Guide to discover three small shifts that can transform the way your singers feel - and sound.
Emma's work in choirs and mental health has been featured by:
BUILDING MENTALLY-HEALTHY CHOIRS FOR ALL
As a go-to expert on mental health and inclusion in choirs, Emma is helping both professional choral conductors, and community choir leaders across the globe. build safer, more sustainable singing communities.

Emma carries the Baton of Hope

Emma was selected to be a baton bearer for the Baton of Hope 2025 tour!  The Baton of Hope is the UK's biggest suicide-prevention initiative and walking with the baton symbolises being part of a movement to raise awareness and drive action around mental health and suicide prevention.

On October 2nd 2025, the Tour came to Hereford where Emma was privileged to walk with the Baton through the grounds of the historic Hereford Cathedral.

While she walked, her Sing out Strong choirs performed.

​Click through the slideshow to see all the photos.
"A mentally-healthy choir isn't just a nice extra - it's the foundation for safe, sustainable, and transformative singing.  When we prioritise wellbeing in our work, we don't just make better music, we build vibrant communities where every member feels valued, supported and empowered to sing freely."
- EMMA ROWLAND-ELSEN

How I Can Help Your Choir Thrive

MENTAL HEALTH AND INCLUSION AUDITS
Tailored reviews to make your choir safer and more inclusive.​
THE MENTALLY-HEALTHY CHOIR TOOLKIT
A practical, trauma-aware toolkit designed to help choir leaders create safer, more inclusive, and emotionally- intelligent singing spaces.
PODCAST: ​UNMUTED
Gritty conversations on what it's really like to run mentally-healthy choirs.
"I sobbed through the first session while I sang.  I haven't felt that free in years".
JULIE (WHO CAME FOR SINGING AND LEFT WITH A NEW-FOUND VOICE)

Ready to make your choir feel as good as it sounds?

Download your free Choir Wellbeing Starter Guide and join a growing movement of choir leaders redefining what wellbeing in music looks like.​  Three simple shifts you can make today!
THE REAL TRUTH IN THE BLOG
​If you’re leading a choir where “mental health” still feels like a dirty word, or worse, where it’s openly mocked or dismissed, you’re not alone.  Maybe you’ve tried to bring in a bit of breathwork at the start of rehearsal and been met with polite silence.  Maybe they think that if someone’s overwhelmed, they should just “get on with it.”
Community choirs are often built with the best intentions: warmth, connection, and belonging. But for neurodivergent singers - including those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and social anxiety - some of the most common "welcoming" behaviours can actually create the opposite effect.
We’ve all heard choirs described as “safe spaces” or “mental-health friendly.” But what does that really mean? And is it enough?  I’ve really had to challenge with what I thought made a choir welcoming and what actually helps people feel safe, seen, and supported in the room.  Here's what I know so far.
In today's fast-paced world, stress and anxiety can feel like constant companions. Between work, personal responsibilities, and the overwhelming noise of everyday life, it’s easy to feel mentally exhausted. One of the most accessible and effective ways to alleviate stress and anxiety is through the power of music. But not just any music – the right playlist can work wonders in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
ABOUT EMMA
Emma Rowland-Elsen is a veteran choral conductor, sound-voice therapist and specialist consultant in choir inclusion and mental health.  She also has PTSD. With over a decade of experience in trauma-informed leadership, vocal health and community music, she helps choirs build emotionally-intelligent, accessible, mentally-healthy and artistically-vibrant spaces, for every mind, body and voice.
Listen to my Stress-Busting Music Recommendations on Spotify

MENTALLY-HEALTHY CHOIRS: EMMA ROWLAND-ELSEN
CONSULTANT IN CHOIR INCLUSION AND MENTAL HEALTH
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